Tactics, Weight, and Timing: The Formula That Delivered the Reconquista to Talented Hit

Back in the North, the El Angel de Venecia runner edged out Garufa Mask by a length to return to the winner’s circle

Talented Hit delivered yet another strong display of progress / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Step by step, Talented Hit is carving out his profile as a quality racehorse. After a more than respectable seventh in the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1) at Palermo — a level beyond his current capabilities — the Stud Haras El Angel de Venecia runner dropped back in class, focusing on the much more manageable Clásico Reconquista (L, 1400m, diagonal), and the result couldn’t have been better.

Taking full advantage of a favorable 121-pound assignment, the Hit It a Bomb colt returned to the winner’s circle after his previous visit to the top tier had stalled his momentum, responding solidly to favoritism at the betting windows.

With Eduardo Ortega Pavón aboard, the bay adopted a patient tactical approach as Garufa Mask (Mask, 128 lbs) and Bluclette Rim (Remote, 120.5 lbs) set the pace through splits of :24.59 and :47.88 — unpressured but steady.

The winner was never far off the pace, and once they straightened for home, the Paraguayan rider spotted a wide opening through the center. Not wanting to miss the chance, he urged the colt forward to seize the position.

At the 400-meter mark, Garufa Mask held the lead, having put distance on Bluclette Rim, but Talented Hit was already surging powerfully, taking control and pulling clear by a length over his courageous rival. Another 1 1/2 lengths back, Mr Versace (Fortify, 128 lbs) finished third, showing signs of a return to form. The final time was 1:21.69.

The biggest disappointment came from Holy Joy (Fortify, 128 lbs), the G1 winner making his return after a lengthy layoff, finishing eighth and second-to-last, nearly 12 lengths behind the winner. If no physical issues were involved, a rematch might be in store, perhaps on the Palermo dirt — where he previously won the 2024 Montevideo (G1) and Cané (G2).

While Firmamento’s hopes for a Holy Joy victory were dashed, the team celebrated with Talented Hit, bred in the pastures of Sierra de los Padres, who kicked off a double for the farm completed moments later by Flamboyance Rim(Remote).